Merkel government to reach nuclear power decision

The German government is due to reach a decision Sunday after months of wrangling over proposals to extend the runtimes of nuclear power plants, dpa reported.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democrats has convened a meeting with fellow coalition leaders Guido Westerwelle of the Free Democrats and Horst Seehofer of Bavaria's Christian Social Union, as well as parliamentary leaders.

Nuclear runtimes were capped by a previous government to wind down by the year 2022, a deadline that Merkel wishes to extend by 10 to 15 years as a bridging technology until renewable energy sources are more developed.

Coupled to the proposals are plans to introduce an annual 2.3-billion-euro (3-billion-dollar) tax on the fuel rods used to generate nuclear power - proposals that industry bosses have fiercely objected to.

Merkel's government is seeking a solution that would not require approval from the upper house of parliament, where Germany's 16 states are represented, as the centre-right coalition no longer has a majority there.

Many Germans favour an end to nuclear power generation. Opponents of nuclear power planned to demonstrate in front of Merkel's office in Berlin.